A traveller’s guide to surviving Delhi

Priya Srivastava

Coming from the ‘City of Nawabs’, Lucknow, Priya’s sole motto is to explore life through journeys to unexplored destinations and knitting travel stories. She believes in creating memories, eating like a local, talking to the natives, understanding their way of living and capturing their smile in her camera. Be it quaint little Himalayan villages, grand forts in Rajasthan or serene beaches in Goa or ancient temples in Varanasi, all the destinations have an untold saga, which she tries to unfold! All her journeys, new or old, are etched on the canvas of her heart like a beautiful painting. Experimenting new dishes and experiencing different cultures are some of the things she enjoys the most. It's through travelling that she derives inspiration. An ardent reader, cinema lover and a nascent photographer, she wishes to listen and discover the myriad colours and sounds of nature.

Like any other big city, Delhi too has its share of pros and cons. Those visiting the city for the first time need to be aware of certain situations that may arise. After all, it is best to know what to expect and be prepared for any eventuality. Here is a list of do's and don'ts in Delhi that you must familiarise yourself with as you hop on that flight to the capital city. We tell you what to how to negotiate your way through the capital—so that you can ensure your time is well spent.

Some basic do's and dont's:

Get all your tour and travel arrangements done by licensed travel agents to avoid local touts.

Avoid carrying expensive jewellery and hefty cash on your person as (petty) theft is common in some areas here.

While shopping, you must not get into the trap of agents. Bargaining is common everywhere. So, bargain as much as you can. In most of the street markets, bargains are a given, so don't be embarrassed before you quote a price that you find suitable. On the other hand, if you happen to be inside a mall or a shop, it is difficult to get big discounts.

When on the move, carry a map in case you are unfamiliar with the city and your GPS is not guiding you real time. If at all you need help with directions, opt for people who are driving public transport, such as taxis or auto rickshaws since they are likely to know the way as opposed to just any passerby. You could also turn to traffic police for help.

Carry a telephone book and keep all the important phone numbers in case your cell phone's battery runs out of charge.

Few words of advice for our friends from abroad:

Foreign travellers must get a grasp of a few local words, which will help them to build a rapport with locals.

Indians are a bit conservative when it comes to public display of affection. Refrain from show of physical intimacy in public.

Women are expected to dress conservatively in India. Avoid wearing shorts, minis and skimpy clothes while visiting temples and crowded areas of Delhi. You are also expected to cover your head when you visit a religious destination so carry a head scarf with you.

For the convenience of foreign travellers, there are several currency exchange counters in Delhi. You are likely to find currency exchange counters at the airport, most of the hotels and major markets of Delhi. Some of the prominent ones are listed below:Travelex: Ground Floor, No.22, Block E, Connaught Place, New DelhiRRSB Forex: 50, & 68, World Trade Centre, Ground Floor, Babar Road, Connaught Place, New DelhiSangat Money Exchange: B-41, Ground Floor, Shivalik, Malviya Nagar, New DelhiBookMyForex.com: Unit No- 12A, Living Style Mall, Pocket-6, Jasola, New Delhi Carry loose change with you. You might be taking a lot of auto rickshaws or peddle rickshaws to travel short distances in very congested markets, for these you would need to carry adequate number of tens and twenties.

Some safety measures for women travellers:

Women travellers must avoid travelling alone at night. If there's an unavoidable situation, make sure you have emergency numbers in the priority list of your cell phone. Besides, also check your cab driver's licence and identification before getting in the cab. Share his phone number and car number with your close friends and family members.

Carry a pepper spray, just in case!

Female travellers should dress suitably while visiting some areas and crowded old markets of Delhi. For example, women can easily wear dresses and shorts in the South Delhi region but try to avoid these attire while visiting the more conservative areas of Old Delhi.

Women travellers might receive unwanted male attention at some places in Delhi during their visit. Try not to stare back or comment. Seek police assistance in case of emergency.

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A traveller’s guide to surviving Delhi

Like any other big city, Delhi too has its share of pros and cons. Those visiting the city for the first time need to be aware of certain situations that may arise. After all, it is best to know what ...